Correspondent – SHILLONG, MAY 8: A sessions court here in Meghalaya has rejected the bail petitions of four co-accused in the murder of Indore-based transporter businessman, Raja Raghuvanshi. The bail petitions of Raj Kushwaha, Akash Rajput, Anand Kurmi and Vishal Singh Chauhan were rejected by the Court of ADC (Judicial), East Khasi Hills district, Shillong, Dashalene R. Kharbteng.
The legal counsel of the accused persons sought bail on parity, after Sonam Raghuvanshi, the prime accused in the murder of her husband Raja secured bail on grounds of procedural lapses during her arrest and was released from Shillong district jail. Sonam secured bail after a local court held that the police failed to properly communicate the grounds of arrest as required under Article 22(1) of the Constitution. Following the development, the counsel for the other four accused moved for bail on parity, which the court rejected.
“The court has held that their claim, that the ground of arrest was not communicated to them is incorrect, and accordingly rejected the bail,” Special Public Prosecutor Kishore Chandra Gautam Gautam said. “They were also offered legal aid when they were first arrested in Indore. The transit magistrate inquired from them whether they knew why they were arrested and if they wanted any legal aid. They refused any legal aid. Therefore, they are aware of the grounds of arrest and why they have been arrested,” he said.
Gautam said that the bail pleas were also rejected by the court, considering the heinousness of the crime.
“The trial is proceeding at a very reasonable pace, witnesses are being examined,” Gautam said.
The Meghalaya government has petitioned the High Court seeking revocation of the bail, a matter, which is expected to be taken up on May 12.
Saturday, May 9, 2026